AS PART of an ongoing series of articles looking back at by-gone years of nightclubbing on the IW, DJ Ian ‘Knocka’ Dore is back again ­— and this time, he’s looking at Casualty.

“Casualty launched at The Balcony in 2004 as a way of injecting a bit of fun into what I felt had become a serious and stale clubbing scene,” said Ian.

“The focus was on the music, and not the tried and tested big name DJs, though a few actually asked to come and play, as the word was out it was a top night.

“You had dance acts and DJs, including The Shapeshifters and The Freemasons, plus a couple of familiar faces, such as Judge Jules and Lisa Pin Up.

“The medical theme was a giggle, and the surgical silliness served the Island well for three years.

“It was popular, and didn’t rely on the old formulas.

“The night also soared and toured to the wonderful cities of Bath and Edinburgh ­— and that was a blast.

“Personally, I had gone full circle, returning to the venue that I had originally started at.

“The enticing beachside location of The Balcony was a special place for me, and so it felt fitting to let the sun set on my final night in Ryde.

“As a promoter, you have to know when to call it a day, and go out on a high while you are still filling a venue.

“As I was moving to Bath to take up a radio breakfast show, that influenced the natural ending and it tied in well.

“Casualty led to bookings at Bestival, and other gigs, but most importantly­ it was a good old laugh.

“Like Dynamite before it, a new generation of clubbers got their first taste of the land of large that perhaps they wouldn’t have.

“That makes you very happy ­— very proud ­— and I think the smiles on the clubbers’ faces say it all.”